Wyoming Technology Transfer and Research Products Center
Dept. 3672
1000 E. University Ave.
Laramie, WY 82071
Phone: (307) 766-2520
Fax: (307) 766-2530
Email: WyomingInvents@uwyo.edu
Coal and natural gas resources are expected to provide a large percentage of global energy over the next several decades. Advanced technologies are being developed to promote cleaner, more efficient, and environmentally friendly use of these energy resources. Recent hydrogen separation/purification technologies have become a promising approach for utilizing these abundant energy resources with minimized pollution to the environment. Among these technologies, hydrogen separation membranes or compact catalytic membrane reactors (CCMR) have been widely used in industry due to their cost effectiveness. A CCMR typically includes a membrane that has a catalytic film which induces a reaction as the coal syngas passes through in order generate hydrogen gas. However, membrane reactors for hydrogen generation and separation have been found to be susceptible to contaminants found in coal derived syngas, such as sulfur.
University of Wyoming researchers have overcome this problem of sulfur contamination. The created sulfur-tolerant micro- membrane reactor (MMR) combines sulfur catalysts and a cutting-edge palladium film technology for hydrogen generation and separation. The sulfur tolerant MMR is fabricated with three layers: an outer catalytic layer where the initial reaction happens produce H2; a middle substrate layer as support for both the catalytic layer and the palladium layer; and a palladium layer which separates the H2 is from mixture gases to achieve higher purity.
The presented solution has the potential to significantly improve the hydrogen generation and separation process within the energy industry.
Sulfur-tolerant
Significant reduction in sulfur contamination
Achieves high purity hydrogen gas
Cost effective
Recently, hydrogen separation/purification technologies have been expanded to nearly eliminate all carbon emissions, which has been one of the major challenges within the energy industry. This technology has the opportunity to be used on a global scale.
Downloadable PDF: 13-090
University of Wyoming Technology Transfer and Research Products Center
Dept. 3672
1000 E. University Ave.
Laramie, WY
82071
Phone: 307-766-2520
Fax: 307-766-2530
Email: WyomingInvents@uwyo.edu
Wyoming Technology Transfer and Research Products Center
Dept. 3672
1000 E. University Ave.
Laramie, WY 82071
Phone: (307) 766-2520
Fax: (307) 766-2530
Email: WyomingInvents@uwyo.edu